[Anonymous]

Hi All,

This will be my second time sitting for BEC (got a 74 last round. Ouch.) and I just want to get this over with. Cost accounting was never a strong area for me, and all these formulas are really overwhelming. Could anyone please offer any advice on how to study/understand all the formulas for this section of the exam. The last time I took BEC, I only focused on MCQ. I was strong with those, but lacked in conceptual understanding. I have a somewhat photographic memory, so it’s pretty easy for me to memorize, but a major downside is that if I see something presented in a way which I’m unfamiliar with, I get stuck. This time, I’ve done the lectures, read the book, took my own notes, and do the flash cards. I still feel like there’s so much stuff, and so many formulas to memorize. I am using Becker as my prep…I think it does a great job with some areas, but my last exam was a total curve ball. I felt like I had studied for the wrong exam. There were questions that I have never seen on the prep, and it was very very frustrating. I don’t want to waste my time on things I won’t be tested on, but there’s just so much stuff. Any tips or tricks in regards to this would be EXTREMELY helpful. My exam is in two weeks…HELP!

-D

[Anonymous]

I passed BEC on the first try with an 81. And that's not me being cocky. I was surprised, becuase I didn't have that luck with FAR (3x). I think the best thing to do is not to go in with this mentality that its the easiest one and you should be able to pass it without trying. BUT, don't make it a monster or this impossible thing that cannot be defeated. It's the least material, totally do-able in 6-7 weeks with the right dedication. You can do it. And you will.

I did not bother to memorize the 4 way variance. Just know those shortcut nemonics but understand them. I think Becker does a great job with this test. I know everyone says do the MCQ's to death, and to be honest I didn't feel like it helped significantly with FAR, but with BEC it does!! Just force yourself to do them over and over.

Know your IT, know operations mgmt, and definitely know capital management & working capital!!

You're RIGHT THERE. you had a 74. I'm sure when you're re-studying, you found a couple things you realized you didn't fully understand the 1st time, but now you do. There's your extra point.

Good Luck

[jstay]

thanks for the motivation corrie!

did you study the WC a lot?

[Anonymous]

I am currently in the same boat as you and trust me when I say you are not alone. I had so many thoughts go through my head earlier today of whether I was even smart enough to understand this damm thing and how anyone passed this exam lol!! I just started my CPA exam journey and took 1 exam already (REG waiting for score) so I am learning from my mistakes and applying what worked last time around. I remember having the same feeling when I started REG and at the end of the 7 week prep I felt like a Tax master lol. I don't know if this is just me but I think I never really understand the material until I do the MCQS especially the math problems like the ones in BEC. I am starting to not care about the my score the first time I do the MCQS. I take it more like a learning experience. I am just about to wrap up B2 and can't believe I actually know this stuff lol. Keep your head up and keep pushing through the MCQS. I don't know if this is true but I heard it gets easier after B3 lol. I started doing a 30MCQ progress test everyday on past material just to keep it fresh. I did not do that for REG and now wishing I had. Best of luck to you!!

[Anonymous]

Yes. I would do the progressive tests in Becker. Instead of doing like 75 of them, I would do 15-20 at a time. Choose the chapters you're having the most difficulty with, and do small amounts. This way when you've hit a hard one, you don't have to get through another 50 MCQ's to get to the end of the practice test. Whenever I did that, I would forget exactly where I got lost on a particular MCQ and what I wanted to look up in the book. And when you choose anything over 20 (even though there are plenty more on the test) it feels very overwhelming when you're studying and I find that's when I allow myself to be easily disctracted. No one is distracted when they're getting it and feel confident.

Flash cards with this one are a must. Make your own. I did flash cards for 10 hours the day before the test and wouldn't you know, I could pinpoint at least 7 questions I know I got right because of memorizing those cards.

Great advice bcarreto5! The first round of MCQ's shouldn't matter at all. Get them all wrong. But learn why!! read that stupid explanation at the bottom even though some of them aren't helpful.

You will Pass 🙂

[Jlalls45]

@dam8 I had a tough time with it too. The pic in the link is how I finally conceptualized FG, WIP, COGM, COGS, and the like.

https://tinypic.com/r/10iigs6/8

Just remember it flows from the top down, all three components (DM (used), DL, & FOH (applied)) all flow to your first bucket – WIP, which determines your COGM, which then flows into your second bucket Finished Goods, which determines your COGS, which then flows to your I/S.

Not sure if this will help, but it certainly made it a lot easier to remember everything for me.

Good luck!

(IF the link to the pic of my notes doesnt work, just send me a response with your email and I can forward it to you there)

AUD - P
BEC - P
REG - waiting
FAR - 5/28

[Anonymous]

Hey guys,

Took my exam last thursday. Wasn't too bad aside from the fact that I had 5 questions on currency conversions and exchange rates. There was one MCQ in the becker prep, which placed no emphasis on it. I guess we'll see how it goes. Started studying for audit. Not wasting anymore time on BEC right now, I think I need to get one under my belt so I can get out of this rut. Appreciate all the support!

[Author]

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